Filtration

[ihasanzongi]

im looking for a good filter for a 55 gallon, i wanna have about 10-14 fish no pleco, what type/make of filtration would you pick? so many out there!! also i think i want one that isnt in the tank or do most people get that type for this type of tank?

 

[nukeonekitty]

When I was running my 55 gal mbuna tank I used a Rena XP3 and it worked awesome! They are cheap and work great as well as so many options for media.

 

[jgray152]

On my 55 I run the Fluval 304 with zero issues. I would try to get a filter that does almost double the amount of filtration.

So instead of Fluval 304. Do a fluval 404 or 405. More filtration and more surface are for bacterial growth.

Rena Filstart XP3 and Xp4 Filters I have heard nothing by good remarks from as well.

I have 14 fish in my tank right now. I run the spong and 2 layers of filter fiber then the bacterial area which in my opinoin is a little small for a 55 gallon on a Fluval 304, but it works great and keep the ammonia and Nitrite levels at 0.

 

[kribensis12]

My aunt has 2 bio-wheels for her 55 and she has had no issues and her water quality is clear and she never has nirates over 10 and has never had any nitrites. She hasnt done a gravel cleaning in 2 years and keeps 4 angelfish and 10 mollies and a pleco. If you have any questions about bio-wheels just ask me and I will inform you about one as I also use a bio-wheel.

 

[adambrum]

What exactly is a bio wheel and how does it work ?

 

[nukeonekitty]

It is a hob filter that has a spray bar as well as the overflow that make a wheel circulate. The wheel works as mechanical and biological filtration and they have some different media you can get as well as carbon pouches. They are alright, but I find Aqua Clears stuff to be better.

 

[kribensis12]

The pad does all tree types of filtration and the wheel is the perfect spot for beneficial bacteria to grow so that they eat up the nitrates and the nitrites.

 

[adambrum]

So its a mini mini wet/dry, the wheel turns gets o2+water so bulids up strong bacteria

 

[nukeonekitty]

Yeah... they are pretty annoyingly loud though...

 

[kribensis12]

Mine is not. I cant even hear it. My aunts are huge and they dont make a sound, and no I am not deaf.

 

[ihasanzongi]

hahah great! thanks guys

 

[kribensis12]

WHat one are you going to get.

 

[keith1569]

i think i might go with the biowheel just cause the price is about half of that of the rena one..

 

[nukeonekitty]

Not being mean at all, but it is true that you get what you pay for.

 

[kribensis12]

I had this one type of filter that was for a 20 gallon an dit cost me 80 dollars. I put it in( with old filter meadia from 30g and my water was never crystal clear, so I took it back and got the same one again, same issue, so then I bought another one of the same type and the same issue occured( I also had poor water quality acording to my chemical test kit) . So then I bought a bio-wheel water was crystal clean, no noise, good water flow, water quality turned good over a few days of running my new bio-wheel. You should check out there website and see why they are the best.